56 Her promise.

Mom was sitting in the front of her dressing table and was looking in the mirror while grazing her fingers near her cheek and nose and was also talking on her cell phone. She looked too happy cause maybe, she was talking to dad, and it was confirmed when she said,

'Okay honey, take care - and yeah, come soon.'

She had that big smile on her face I was happy to see her this way. After all, in my whole life mom is the most precious to me after Niall. About dad, if someone asks, he has gone through a lot. Since I came into this house I've rarely seen him smile or laugh wholeheartedly. He once smiled when Niall came to this house all of sudden just to celebrate his birthday two years ago. If anyone asks me I would say that it wasn't Niall's decision. He has been always lost in his mind and he can never give a thought of visiting dad on his birthday only if someone very close to him asks him to do so.

Till now, I've been finding that person who could be so close to him who could make him do such things so that I can ask that person to make him come tomorrow to aunt Merylin's funeral. I always wanted Niall to be a part of every celebration and miseries. I want Niall to be with his dad always as support. I just want him not to be in depression and live his life fullest cause this what Aunt Merylin told the three-year-old me. Why from all my memories of that time I remember this I don't know but I still try to keep this promise of hers.

I still remember when twenty years ago...

The three years old me was in a room, mom had just now tugged me in my blanket. From outside I could hear mom talking to an uncle. It was raining a bit since morning that day. It was the day we were about somewhere, mom had assured me that I'll meet my dad today. I was too happy but I didn't know what was happening outside. I could hear mom shouting and wailing while the man was just talking in a polite and low voice.

'I'll tell everyone then!!' Mom shouted.

I wanted to go out and see what was happening, but mom had told me to stay in my room and so I had to obey her. But on the other side, I wanted to see why mom was crying, so, I opened the door a bit and peeked from there.

I still remember on my first day of school everyone looked down at me cause I wasn't in proper uniform, no one knew who my dad was and some seniors used to bully me.

I used to cry every night digging my face into my pillows. I always used to ask mom, where dad was? Why wasn't he with us? Did he, really abandon me? But mom just used to say one thing,

'He is coming honey, he will come soon. He has been busy lately he'll come soon.'

And then she used to wipe my tears and hug me tightly.

'You have to accept him, He is your son!' Mom shouted again.

'Our son!' She said in a low voice while exhaling and wiping her tears which were continuously flowing down one by one out of her eyes.

I could see the face of the man clearly but he was wearing a three-piece black suit.

'Please John, he has no future without you.'

She said and kneeled in front of that man. She covered her face with her palms and started weeping out while jerking in between. As she sat down I was finally able to see the man. And that was the first time I had seen dad.

Dad bent down, held mom from the shoulder, and said,

'Let's go.'

Mom looked at him and he nodded slowly. Soon we started heading towards 'The Carter's' mansion. The mansion in which people say are many maids to help, the mansion in which only rich people can live. I sat in a car for the first time as mom held my hand tightly. I looked at her and she did her tear and smiled at me. Soon we reached there and it started raining too heavily.

Mom took me to a room and asked me to sleep. I slept peacefully but got awoke by a strong wail. I stood up and peeked from my room to see Aunt Flora and mom fighting.

'Things are not always the same, John has decided to keep me in the house instead of you. So, it's quite easy that he wants you to leave.' Mom said to Aunt Flora.

I felt bad for her cause though she was standing strong in front of mom with her fists clenched, tears were still flowing down one by one from her eyes.

'I won't leave! This is my house!' Aunt Flora shouted.

and mom held her hair as she wailed I came out and said,

'Mom!'

Mom looked at me her eyes widened as she didn't expect me to show up in the corridor all of a sudden. She let aunt go and came to me,

'Honey go inside, mom is just talking with an old friend of her.' And she smiles as she finished her sentence.

Her smile used to calm me down every time but today even though I smiled back at her and she patted my head remarking 'Good boy!' To me, I still, was feeling uneasy. I turned around to go to my room but turned my head around for the last time and looked at Aunt Flora.

She smiled slightly at me and nodded a bit. It was too surprising for me but, as she smiled my lips curled up on its own and I somewhat felt relaxed. I went back to my bed though I wasn't feeling sleepy anymore. I was more worried about Aunt Flora. I still don't know who was correct at that time but still, I felt a bit of guilt in the heart. Somewhere, somewhat I knew something was wrong, I knew that someone was wronged but who? I didn't know.

At around midnight when everyone fell asleep someone opened the door of my room. I sat upright and saw Aunt Flora coming inside slowly without making any sound.

She came to and sat on her knees. She held my hands tightly together and said,

'I don't know what is your name or whose son are you? But still, I know this isn't your fault. You are just a child.'

Her eyes were red and puffed she looked at me her eyes shining with tears filled in it.

'Will you....do one favor to me?'

I wasn't able to deny her sweet voice and so I nodded slightly. I didn't know what was going around in the house but still tried my best to understand the situation.

'Will you take care of my son? Will you treat him as your brother? He....has gone through a lot and I know I won't be able to take him together with me. So....when I'll be gone all of a sudden will you hug him and tell him to wait for me?' As she said I just nodded slightly and she just thanked me.

'Drake? Why are you standing outside? Come in.' I was snapped out of my thoughts as mom called me...